So, recently I was asked by my church to share on what motherhood is to me (and how does having Jesus in my life helped) and I did.
I wrote the below for script and spent about one & a half hours talking to myself in front of the camera. It was intense. I had to go to a place that is quiet (which is obviously impossible with the children at home), and with "proper" background. I also had to record at a place where no cars or bikes can be heard.
So, I chose to do it just outside my parents' place. If you listen carefully, at the end of the video, you can actually hear Sofia.
Towards the end of it, I was sweating buckets (thankful it didn't really show in the video except for a shiny face heh). There were a lot of retakes because cars and bikes were driving by, our neighbor decided to wash like gazillions of plates and I forgot what I wanted to say. The camera was fully-charged okay when I first started.
Then, when the battery was left with 19%, I was like, "Game on!" because I do not have any other time to record video so this has to be it.
At the end, I decided to record it to three parts which was a lot easier than recording at one full take. I also did not really follow my "script" because I didn't want to read from it and record. I had to be a little bit spontaneous ma right.
Confidence is key. Hah.
So yeah. I had fun doing this video because it sort of allows me to think of what motherhood is to me and what it has done to me (all good things).
What is motherhood to you, I wonder. Everyone for sure has different definition of what motherhood is to them.
So here goes.
Hello everyone.
First, let me just wish all beautiful mothers and mothers to be out there - Blessed Mothers Day!
My name is Sarah Khoo and I have 2 minis - a soon-to-be-2yo-boy and a 4mo-baby-girl.
I also have a husband and a 9-5 job.
If I can choose one word that summarizes what motherhood is to me - it would be SACRIFICE.
BEING A MOM IS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
- We give up our body to grow a human for nine months.
- We go through labor for hours and hours, and we go through the set of emotions that comes with childbirth because of the hormonal changes.
- We try to deal with our insecurities every time we look into the mirror because our body no longer looks and feels the same anymore.
- We spend hours and hours trying to research on how to boost our milk supply because we want to continue breastfeeding for as long as we can.
- By the time we get to eat, our food is cold but we had to swallow it anyways because we never know when the baby is awake again or wants to be held by you and nobody else.
The list goes on and on.
We basically put our life on hold just so we can live theirs with them.
I struggled with that the most I think. When I became a mother, I felt that I had to give up more "things" compared to my husband. I don't know about you, but I immediately felt the need to "even-out" the sacrifices.
I felt that it was unfair that I had to sacrifice so many things (going out with my friends at night, hang out in the cafe or go watch a movie etc) and, it seems like he still gets to enjoy his daily activities.
You know sometimes when I know I am not going to win in a debate/an argument, I will usually just casually say, "You know, I did gave birth to not 1, but 2 babies for you" HAHHA.
I know it is wrong to be like this. Haha.
Anyways, it was rough motherhood for me at first.
But I was reminded of how Jesus sacrificed everything for us. How He also basically gave up his life just so we can live ours? I mean he died for us - like really literally die die..
When I look at just that, I think to myself - I don't even have to die for my children. I just need to put my life on hold for a while you know.
And that's a strong reminder to myself every time emotions sweep in and it hits me again on how I am missing out in life with my friends and all. (My friends are amazing BTW, because they would come to my house and hang out there just so I can hang out too).
Anyways, it is not like I did not already know about the sacrifices that Jesus did but being a mother myself made me understand really, what sacrifice really means. And I think because of that, I begin to "enjoy" motherhood even when Alex is throwing the biggest tantrum in the world. I begin to appreciate the struggles of motherhood because I then believe that motherhood is a calling.
It is not a hobby. You cannot like decide you want to be a mother because you think it is going to be fun. It is not like collecting coins or something.
Despite all that, of course, I still struggle because a human can only have this much patience right? And I think right, children is one of God's way to make us better people wan. Like I pray for patience to increase, the next day for sure my children will do something to test it. CONFIRM.
And you know what works for me when I have rough days to deal with?
I pray- a lot - I believe that prayers can move a mountain - whatever your mountain is.
And the song Goodness of God playing in loops. I play this song sometimes when I get to have a longer shower or when I get to have a me-time. Or when Sofia wakes up at 3AM and refused to go back to sleep - I will hold her and sing this song and then I realize that I can do it.
So yeah, it will all be worth it.
Putting my travel plans on hold.
Laying down my desire to be recognized.
Giving up the imaginary life that I could have had.
Because motherhood is a calling.